Felony Compliance Staff Attorney

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide assistance to the Felony Judges and to Court Administration on legal and operational requirements of SB9 and the recent constitutional amendment (11d) on denial of bail.
• Provide assistance to the Felony Judges and to Court Administration on legal and operational requirements of other requirements unique to the felony courts.
• Provide ethical guidance and updates to the Judges of the District Courts and to the staff of the administrative offices, focusing on the specific ethical requirements of statutory compliance, Constitutional issues, and criminal law.
• Review, track and report on appellate decisions concerning the practices and procedures in the Felony Courts, with a focus on cases decided by the Court of Criminal Appeals and the First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeal.
• Review, track and report on pending and enacted legislation as it pertains to the practice and procedure in the Felony Courts.
• Provide legal assistance to the Judges of the District Courts as they may request.
• Aid the District Courts in matters of law that arise concerning other agencies that affect the operation of the District Courts.
• Respond to Rule 12 requests (the judicial equivalent of public information requests).
• Provide legal assistance to the judiciary and administration on matters of form and procedure.
• Assist in other matters as designated by the Local Administrative District Judge or that Judge’s designee.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited law school.
• In good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in the practice of law.
• Minimum of five (5) first degree felony trials (tried to completion), or five (5) substantive felony briefs (briefs other than Anders briefs), or two (2) years of experience as a judge, magistrate or hearing law officer.
• Substantially equivalent experience as a government attorney, a judicial law clerk, or an attorney to an elected or appointed official will be considered.
• Demonstrate ability in legal research and writing.
• Shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Preferences

• Certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization desirable.
• Preference for board certification in criminal law or criminal appellate law.